Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sapa]

So if your going to Japan for the first time what are the places you must visit? Stunning landscapes, cool districts in cities, interesting experiences, etc.

[Allen]

[Xuanzang]

the Basho haiku trail in Ishikawa. An authentic ryokan and onsen.

[Sapa]

thanks for the replies. I just booked my flights for a week in Japan flying into Tokyo. It will be my first time in Japan. Keep the suggestions coming. Would be awesome if anyone could provide their idea of a good week long itinerary flying in and out of tokyo.

thanks

[farrepatt]

Any chance you're getting a Japan Rail pass? That's far and away the best way to see Japan. There's so many amazing things to see.

I can't say Tokyo is my favourite, I prefer the Kyoto-Nara area. If you do get the rail pass some must sees are:

Hiroshima. The peace park and A-bomb dome are quite powerful and worth a visit. I found it to be quite a powerful experience to stand pretty much directly below where the first atomic bomb was dropped. When I took my wife there last February we even met a survivor of the bomb (technically, his mother was 6 months pregnant with him when it exploded). He showed us his documents showing that he was a survivor and showed us a few spots that I didn't notice my first visit. He told us a few stories too that I'll never forget. All he wanted in return was a pin or small souvenir from our country. He told me he visits the site regularly to tell people about the horrors of atomic weapons.

Miyajima. If you go to Hiroshima, you should swing by Miyajima in the afternoon. It's about 25 minutes by train outside Hiroshima and another 10 minutes by ferry. Considered one of Japan's "top 3 views". It has a huge torii in the water as you approach (you'll probably recognize it if you've ever seen any photos of Japan). The island itself I believe is considered a holy island and there are deer wandering around and you can see monkeys if you hike up the hill.

Himeji Castle. Probably Japan's best preserved castle. About 45 minutes by bullet train from Osaka/Kyoto. Easily one of the more beautiful places in Japan. Though I really love Japanese castles.

Mt. Fuji (You can spot it from the bullet train on the way towards Osaka from Tokyo, though I'd recommend stopping for a closer look. I like to get the Hakone pass so I can get up close to it, but that's expensive and takes a full day. Though Fuji is one of my favourite sites in the world).

Nikko. Nikko is much closer to Tokyo, so even if you don't get a train pass you can probably still get there for cheap enough. It's where some of the famous shoguns are buried. It's quite beautiful.

Kamakura. Another trip you can do from Tokyo in a day. It's famous for the outdoor Buddha, which I believe is Japan's 2nd largest (behind Todaiji Temple in Nara). It's pretty neat. You can even go inside it if you'd like. I've seen a lot of Buddha's around the world, but never been allowed to go inside one aside from this one. There are also a few neat temples around Kamakura aside from the one with the large Buddha.

Odawara. If you don't get a rail pass and can't get to Himeji castle. Odawara is about an hour or so from Tokyo and it has a small castle. It's nothing compare to Himeiji or Matsumoto (near Nagano) but it's alright. I'd pair this with seeing Mt. Fuji as it's a great jumping point to Hakone (the national park around mt. fuji).

I haven't included Nara or Kyoto, because there's just too much to write about there. They could take up your whole week alone. I'd strongly recommend spending a day in Nara and two in Kyoto if you have time. That isn't nearly enough, but there are quite a lot of world heritage sites in the Kyoto area. If you think you'll go I can write up some info on that. If you go to Kyoto, both Hiroshima and Himeji Castle are fairly easy day trips from there (with the rail pass).

[Allen]

We used this service for our Fuji tour. Everything was great.
http://www.viator.com/Tokyo/d334/mt-fuji-tours

Here are a couple of the free tour guide sites.
http://www.tokyofreeguide.com/

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/guideservice.html

We had 2 guides on 2 different days and they were well worth it. You pay for their food, admissions, and travel and they take you anywhere you want or just have them pick some sites.

[VanIslander]

[Sapa]

thanks for all the info, especially farrepatt. I'm going to spend the next few weeks looking through books and the net and deciding where to go. i'm sure I will end up going to some of the places you mentioned, they sound great.

anyway, keep it coming.

[Kimsmith]

If you will be there for a week and want to travel then the Japan rail pass is a must (you can buy one at the JAL office near city hall - it has to be purchased outside of Japan).
If you are planning on travelling away from Tokyo -
Kamakura (good day trip from Tokyo)
Nikkko (another good day trip)
Kyoto and Nara - temples galore
Hiroshima (as described in a previous post)
Himeji (castle is impressive, as is Engyoji Temple on the other side of the city, accessible by bus and cable car. Some the Last Samurai was filmed there. It it beautiful, with a great atmosphere)

If you just stay in Tokyo -
Kamakura and Nikko - as day trips
Asakusa area - the old downtown area, atmospheric with nice temple and some budget places to stay
Shinjuku for the crowds
Akihabara if you want to check out electronics
Ueno Park - some great museums, and nice in general

[Sapa]

thanks. how much is the rail pass?

Also is around $50 a night the cheapest you can expect for a room for 2 people in a hotel?

I will get round to looking at it all for myself in the next few days, but if you have a quick answer it's much appreciated.

[VanIslander]

[bangbayed]

You could always try the capsule hotels. Usually these are part of a jjimjil bang-type building. 20-30 bucks will get you a sauna and a capsule to sleep in. Not recommended for light sleepers.

[chris_J2]

It was 7000 yen a night 2 years ago, for a hotel room with aircon. 3500 yen at a hostel. Try to get to the Mori Tower lookout in Roponggi Hills in Tokyo too. Some pics I took:

http://www.trekearth.com/members/ChrisJ/photos/Asia/Japan/

http://www.treklens.com/members/chrisJ/photos/Asia/Japan/